HBO’s The Last Of Us Accidentally Set Itself Up For Failure

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HBO is known for its gripping dramas, so it wasn’t surprising when their adaptation of the video game The Last of Us started strong. Unfortunately, while the first season was a hit, the show’s second season seems to have lost steam and may be heading in the wrong direction.

Following the incredible first nine episodes, The Last of Us quickly became one of the most successful video game adaptations ever made, standing alongside shows like Netflix’s Arcane. Because HBO created such a true-to-the-game adaptation with some surprising additions, expectations were high for its return in 2025, and it had the potential to become a truly legendary series.

Season 2 of The Last of Us hasn’t been as well-received as the first, and many viewers have been disappointed. It feels like a decline from the show’s initial success, and the series now faces significant challenges. While the future looks uncertain, it’s still possible for the show to improve and regain its former quality.

The Last Of Us Season 1 Was A Perfect Start For The Show

HBO / Courtesy Everett Collection

As a huge fan of The Last of Us – seriously, one of the best games ever made – I was honestly a little nervous when they announced a TV show. Adapting something that beloved always feels like a gamble, because everyone has such strong expectations. The game’s story was so groundbreaking, and the music and overall vibe were incredible, so I kept wondering how they’d manage to pull it off on TV.

HBO truly exceeded expectations with its adaptation, bringing the story to life in a remarkable way. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal were perfectly cast as Ellie and Joel, sharing a fantastic on-screen connection that felt reminiscent of the iconic voice acting performances by Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson. Their compelling relationship deepened and changed throughout the season.

The show frequently captured moments directly from the game, like Joel’s desperate attempt to save his daughter during the initial outbreak and the memorable giraffe scene. It’s clear the creators understood what fans loved about The Last of Us and successfully translated those elements to the screen.

The show didn’t just copy the game – it made some great changes and additions that viewers generally loved. For example, the first episode explained the virus much more clearly than the game did, immediately creating a sense of suspense. And the episode focusing on Bill and Frank wonderfully fleshed out their relationship, which wasn’t explored much in the original game.

The first season of The Last of Us exceeded expectations, captivating longtime fans and introducing new viewers to the story’s appeal. This led to widespread acclaim and cemented its reputation as a high-quality show, but the second season struggled to reach the same impressive level.

The Last Of Us Season 2 Made Some Questionable Choices

Given the strong start of its first season, the return of The Last of Us was expected to be a success. However, some creative decisions and the sensitive nature of the original story led to several issues. The second game centers around Joel’s death, a moment that was bound to spark debate, and the TV adaptation unfortunately amplified those problems.

In the game, the impact of Joel’s killer is heightened because she’s initially a complete stranger, making her actions feel like a huge betrayal. While some players later understood her reasons, the TV adaptation of The Last of Us immediately explains her motivations. This removes much of the shock and suspense, and ultimately portrays her as a more simple, clear-cut villain.

While the TV show still has a chance to flesh out Abby’s character, many viewers have likely already formed strong opinions about her, meaning her storyline will probably be just as controversial as it was in the game. The show also stumbled with Ellie in its second season, as the TV version didn’t quite capture the same personality as she had in The Last of Us Part II.

The Last of Us seasons Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics) Rotten Tomatoes Score (Audience)
The Last of Us season 1 96% 86%
The Last of Us season 2 92% 37%

The second game portrays Ellie as much more fierce and self-sufficient, capable of battling both humans and infected creatures on her own. She’s often driven by a raw, almost single-minded desire for revenge against Abby, making her seem savage. However, the TV show depicts her as needing constant help from others.

Jesse and Dina are always saving her, and this version of the character doesn’t feel like the tough, resourceful survivor we expect her to be.

Considering Tommy’s storyline was changed quite a bit because of what happened with Jackson, it’s understandable why season 2 received so much criticism – criticism that could have been prevented. Now, season 3 really needs to deliver if The Last of Us wants to regain fans’ approval.

How The Last Of Us Season 3 Can Put The Show Back On Track

After some criticism of the show, season 3 of The Last of Us needs to be a strong return, and it might be the final season. To succeed, it should learn from the issues with the previous season and show a more troubled and complex side of Ellie, leaning into a darker tone.

While season two showed Ellie’s dark side with the Nora storyline, it didn’t fully explore the raw grief and rage she experienced in the game. The Santa Barbara part of the story needs to show that intense, vengeful Ellie who is completely focused on ending her conflict with Abby, no matter what it takes.

Just as Jackson played a key role in season 2, season 3 needs to focus more on the communities in the world of The Last of Us, as they felt underdeveloped in Part II. Abby’s storyline should closely follow the game’s plot, and Kaitlyn Dever is an excellent choice to play the part.

HBO’s The Last of Us season 3 needs to embrace the grim and violent nature of the original game. Since the show has already established Joel’s death, it should maintain that dark atmosphere. While there will likely be moments of tenderness, the story in The Last of Us Part II is deeply unsettling, and the series needs to accurately portray that.

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2026-02-17 00:29